In a move FERC said will “create a more integrated and efficientinterstate pipeline grid,” the Commission adopted standards lastweek that will expand from one to three the number of intra-daynomination opportunities for shippers on all interstate pipelines.The intra-day nomination schedule was proposed by the Gas IndustryStandard’s Board in March, by FERC in a notice of proposedrulemaking in April and last week was made part of the Commission’sregulations with required pipeline implementation by Nov. 2.

The standards establish three times for shippers to submit theirintra-day nominations: 6 p.m. to take effect the following gas day,and 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to take effect the same gas day. The 10 a.m.nomination would become effective, if confirmed, at 5 p.m. the sameday, with any bumping notice to interruptible shippers given by 2p.m. via electronic notice, facsimile or telephone. The 5 p.m.intra-day nomination would become effective, if confirmed, at 9p.m. the same day. No bumping is allowed at the 5 p.m. nomination.The 6 p.m. intra-day nomination would become effective, ifconfirmed, at 9 a.m. the following day if all parties can bescheduled. Bumping notice for the 6 p.m. nom would be given by 10p.m. and would become effective at 9 a.m. the following day.

The Commission calculated the annualized start-up cost ofadopting the changes to be $450,293 for all 93 pipeline companies.Pipelines must file revised tariff sheets to reflect the changesnot less than 30 days prior to Nov. 2 implementation.

“Adoption of these regulations,” the Commission said, “willprovide shippers with increased options to change their scheduledgas quantities to reflect weather and other changed conditions andenable shippers to more efficiently transact business acrossmultiple pipelines.”

Rocco Canonica

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